World rankings: Springboks still safe as France close in on Ireland

France could replace Ireland as the top-ranked European team provided they defeat England and Ireland fall to Scotland while Wales could tumble to an all-time low in the rankings.

While Ireland cannot surpass South Africa in the rankings even with a comprehensive victory over Scotland, they can cut the Springboks' advantage at the summit. A win by less than 16 points will earn them 0.58 rating points with a margin of victory of more than 15 points earning them 0.87 points and cutting South Africa's lead to just 1.13 points.

A defeat of more than 15 points will cost Scotland sixth place but only if England manage to defeat France at Twickenham the day before.

Conversely, if Scotland end their ten-match losing streak to Ireland, they will equal their highest-ever ranking of fifth place, moving ahead of Argentina.

A drawn result in the Scottish capital would leave Ireland and New Zealand level on rating points but a loss to Gregor Townsend's side will see Ireland surrender third spot to the All Blacks. The lowest the Irish can be ranked after the weekend's action is fourth.

While Ireland cannot surpass South Africa in the rankings even with a comprehensive victory over Scotland, they can cut the Springboks' advantage at the summit. A win by less than 16 points will earn them 0.58 rating points with a margin of victory of more than 15 points earning them 0.87 points and cutting South Africa's lead to just 1.13 points.

A defeat of more than 15 points will cost Scotland sixth place but only if England manage to defeat France at Twickenham the day before.

Conversely, if Scotland end their ten-match losing streak to Ireland, they will equal their highest-ever ranking of fifth place, moving ahead of Argentina.

A drawn result in the Scottish capital would leave Ireland and New Zealand level on rating points but a loss to Gregor Townsend's side will see Ireland surrender third spot to the All Blacks. The lowest the Irish can be ranked after the weekend's action is fourth.

However, defeat by more than 15 points will see Steve Borthwick's side slide one place to eighth with Australia the beneficiaries.

A defeat for Fabien Galthie's side would not see them fall any lower than fourth position.

Italy head into their clash with Wales looking to claim back-to-back victories over the Welsh for the first time in their history. If they manage to do so, the Azzurri will not improve on their 10th place ranking as there aren't enough rating points on offer to catch Fiji in ninth.

Gonzalo Quesada's team will only surrender 10th place to Wales if they suffer a defeat by more than 15 points.

In defeat, Wales will drop to a new all-time low of 12th if they lose and Georgia win at home to the Netherlands in the Rugby Europe Men's Championship.

This would be the first time that Georgia would sit above Wales since the rankings began in October 2003. This is despite the fact that the Lelos cannot increase their rating this weekend given the 17.29 points between themselves and the Netherlands before home weighting is factored in.

Current World Rugby rankings

1 South Africa 92.78

2 Ireland 90.78

3 New Zealand 90.36

4 France 88.51

5 Argentina 84.97

6 Scotland 83.57

7 England 82.31

8 Australia 81.52

9 Fiji 80.07

10 Italy 78.41

11 Wales 74.01